A family of four, including two toddlers, was rescued and hospitalized for hypothermia after being found freezing in the woods near the Canada-U.S. border in Havelock, Quebec.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to an urgent call late Thursday night from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) requesting assistance in locating the family, who had become lost while attempting to cross into Canada.
“A family with two very young children, just one and two years old, were lost in the woods for many, many hours before the mother managed to call 911,” said RCMP spokesperson Martina Pillarova. “Officers searched for hours before finding them at 4:15 a.m., huddled under a tree, unable to move due to exhaustion and severe cold.”
According to officials, the family was not dressed for the harsh Canadian winter, lacking proper boots, gloves, and winter gear. Officers immediately provided them with hats and coats to help keep them warm until paramedics arrived. Due to their critical state, the family could not be moved immediately.
They were transported to a hospital in Châteauguay, Quebec, where they are being treated for hypothermia. Their condition has stabilized, and their lives are not in danger.
Authorities confirmed that the family had crossed from the U.S. and is originally from another country. They have no legal status in Canada and have since requested refugee status. The case has been transferred to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for further processing.
This incident highlights the increasing dangers faced by asylum seekers attempting irregular border crossings, especially in extreme weather conditions. The RCMP continues to urge individuals to use official immigration channels and warns of the life-threatening risks associated with crossing into Canada through remote and hazardous areas.